Fri 23 Oct 15 – Kyoto
Another beautiful day, weather wise. I think apart from our arrival day in Tokyo, where it had been raining in the morning, we haven't had any wet days.
First up this morning, we witnessed an authentic tea ceremony.
Very elaborate and also very formal. It was interesting to see. The house where we went to, is situated along side a small canal, with a pathway and the pathway is lined with cherry trees. Saki was saying that the local residents don't like cherry blossom time, as so many tourists come to view the blossom and are very noisy and disturb their quiet neighbourhood.
We departed there around 1100 on our way to the World Heritage listed Buddhist Sanctuary at Mt. Hiei and our traditional vegetarian Buddhist lunch. Lunch was served in a bento box, which was a first for all of us.
Located in Kyoto's eastern mountain range on Mount Hiei, Enryakuji is one of the most important monasteries in Japanese history and the headquarters of the Tendai sect of Japanese Buddhism. Many influential monks studied at Enryakuji, including the founders of a number of later sects, such as the Pure Land (Jodo), Zen and Nichiren sects. Enryakuji was founded in 788 by Saicho, the monk who introduced Tendai Buddhism from China into Japan. At its peak, Enryakuji had as many as 3000 subtemples and a powerful army of warrior monks who often engaged in power struggles with other monasteries and political leaders. On his way to remove all potential rivals and unite the country, Oda Nobunaga, attacked and destroyed most of Enryakuji's buildings and killed most of its inhabitants in 1571. Therefore, most of today's temple buildings date back to the early Edo Period, when Enryakuji was rebuilt. Enryakuji's attractions are concentrated in three areas: Todo (east area), Saito (west area) and Yokawa. The main area is the Todo area, where the monastry was originally founded and where most of the main buildings are located, including the Main Hall (Kompon Chudo) and the Amida Hall, which was added to the complex in 1937.
We visited 2 of the temples and got some step climbing exercise along the way.
Another beautiful day, weather wise. I think apart from our arrival day in Tokyo, where it had been raining in the morning, we haven't had any wet days.
First up this morning, we witnessed an authentic tea ceremony.
Very elaborate and also very formal. It was interesting to see. The house where we went to, is situated along side a small canal, with a pathway and the pathway is lined with cherry trees. Saki was saying that the local residents don't like cherry blossom time, as so many tourists come to view the blossom and are very noisy and disturb their quiet neighbourhood.
Very elaborate and also very formal. It was interesting to see. The house where we went to, is situated along side a small canal, with a pathway and the pathway is lined with cherry trees. Saki was saying that the local residents don't like cherry blossom time, as so many tourists come to view the blossom and are very noisy and disturb their quiet neighbourhood.
We departed there around 1100 on our way to the World Heritage listed Buddhist Sanctuary at Mt. Hiei and our traditional vegetarian Buddhist lunch. Lunch was served in a bento box, which was a first for all of us.
Located in Kyoto's eastern mountain range on Mount Hiei, Enryakuji is one of the most important monasteries in Japanese history and the headquarters of the Tendai sect of Japanese Buddhism. Many influential monks studied at Enryakuji, including the founders of a number of later sects, such as the Pure Land (Jodo), Zen and Nichiren sects. Enryakuji was founded in 788 by Saicho, the monk who introduced Tendai Buddhism from China into Japan. At its peak, Enryakuji had as many as 3000 subtemples and a powerful army of warrior monks who often engaged in power struggles with other monasteries and political leaders. On his way to remove all potential rivals and unite the country, Oda Nobunaga, attacked and destroyed most of Enryakuji's buildings and killed most of its inhabitants in 1571. Therefore, most of today's temple buildings date back to the early Edo Period, when Enryakuji was rebuilt. Enryakuji's attractions are concentrated in three areas: Todo (east area), Saito (west area) and Yokawa. The main area is the Todo area, where the monastry was originally founded and where most of the main buildings are located, including the Main Hall (Kompon Chudo) and the Amida Hall, which was added to the complex in 1937.
We visited 2 of the temples and got some step climbing exercise along the way.
We visited 2 of the temples and got some step climbing exercise along the way.
We left the mountain around 2.30 and after a bit of a site seeing drive around part of the city, arrived back at the hotel about 2 hours later. We all met again at 5.40pm to walk to a restaurant the other side of the railway station, for our farewell dinner. Another delicious Japanese meal but one of the dishes was margarita pizza!!!
Back at the hotel around 9pm, as the majority of us have early starts tomorrow, with most of us being picked up at 7.25am, to be transferred to Kansai International Airport, Osaka. My flight out is at 1055 to Singapore, so it's sayonara from Japan.
22 Oct 15 – Kyoto
I slept on the soft pillows last night and had a much better nights sleep than the previous night.
This hotel gives you the option of putting up the following signs on your door, re cleaning options
I didn't get down to breakfast until just before 7am and there was already a queue waiting to get in. I could see that the queue at the other 1st floor restaurant was even longer, so I just waited. The wait was only about 2 minutes, so no big deal. I had a very light breakfast. Orange juice and toast and marmalade. Plus a banana that I had bought at the supermarket last night.
First up this morning, we headed for the Sake Brewery, which is now a museum.
We arrived there about 9.30ish. It's located in a very old area and there are many old traditional houses nearby.
After having the processes explained and seeing the displays, we then had a tasting of 3 different Sake's. The first one was extremely tasty and about 16% proof but I resisted the temptation and didn't buy anything. The sky was looking threatening by now but the temp was mild.
We departed there approx 10:30 and headed for a fan shop. The itinerary says that we "are about to learn how they are made" but all we did was paint a blank fan and were told nothing about how they are made. I'm not complaining. It was rather fun and they do have books with some sketch ideas, if you are not artistic, which I am not.
Because of a festival being held today, near the area we were in, we only had half an hour to paint our fans, including a loo stop. Not much time at all and some people never finished the fans. Anyway, they will be delivered to our hotel tomorrow, so we will have another souvenir of our talents, after the paper making the other day.
dressing up in a kimono
and then walking down the street to a local shrine in our kimonos. Clear blue skies by now.
Talk about being trussed up. Once we were all dressed up, we went out into the main hall and the Japanese tourists were taking photos of us. It was a fun experience BUT for some reason, my back was killing me. One of the other Judy's also had severe back pain from wearing the kimono' so it wasn't just me. We finally departed there at 3.45pm and came back to the hotel.
I had arranged to meet a couple of ladies for some shopping ( I did the window variety) then back to the hotel to pick up another lady at 6.30, so the 4 of us could have dinner. We all ordered the same noodle dish, which came in an enormous bowl. I managed to eat 7/8ths of it. That plus a beer cost ¥1,122. Noodles were ¥723 and the beer ¥389.
After dinner they were checking out some more shops and I went back to the main stairs in the train station to get some photos of the light display.
I only took photos of about 5 of the displays then came back to the hotel.
I slept on the soft pillows last night and had a much better nights sleep than the previous night.
This hotel gives you the option of putting up the following signs on your door, re cleaning options
DO NOT DISTURB: They don't enter your room at all. That was on my door yesterday and the room wasn't touched at all.
PLEASE MAKE UP ROOM: Speaks for itself.
Then there are the Eco Cards
A GREEN HEART: (ECO CLEANING)
Change towels and nightwear only. Reuse other linens when room making. (I think that refers to the night attire that is in the bedside table drawer)
PINK HEART: (NO CLEANING)
No cleaning or room making necessary. Only take out trash. I had that on my door today. The rubbish was taken out and the amenities & loo paper was also replenished.
YELLOW HEART: (CHANGE TOWELS)
Change towels and take out trash. Tidy up room but no bathroom cleaning. I won't be using that one. "Do not disturb" is on the door already for tomorrow.
I didn't get down to breakfast until just before 7am and there was already a queue waiting to get in. I could see that the queue at the other 1st floor restaurant was even longer, so I just waited. The wait was only about 2 minutes, so no big deal. I had a very light breakfast. Orange juice and toast and marmalade. Plus a banana that I had bought at the supermarket last night.
First up this morning, we headed for the Sake Brewery, which is now a museum.
We arrived there about 9.30ish. It's located in a very old area and there are many old traditional houses nearby.
After having the processes explained and seeing the displays, we then had a tasting of 3 different Sake's. The first one was extremely tasty and about 16% proof but I resisted the temptation and didn't buy anything. The sky was looking threatening by now but the temp was mild.
After having the processes explained and seeing the displays, we then had a tasting of 3 different Sake's. The first one was extremely tasty and about 16% proof but I resisted the temptation and didn't buy anything. The sky was looking threatening by now but the temp was mild.
We departed there approx 10:30 and headed for a fan shop. The itinerary says that we "are about to learn how they are made" but all we did was paint a blank fan and were told nothing about how they are made. I'm not complaining. It was rather fun and they do have books with some sketch ideas, if you are not artistic, which I am not.
Because of a festival being held today, near the area we were in, we only had half an hour to paint our fans, including a loo stop. Not much time at all and some people never finished the fans. Anyway, they will be delivered to our hotel tomorrow, so we will have another souvenir of our talents, after the paper making the other day.
After the fan painting, we had 15 minutes to find something to eat, before boarding the bus at 1235. We ate on the bus, heading to our next activity, which was watching a kimono fashion parade,
dressing up in a kimono
and then walking down the street to a local shrine in our kimonos. Clear blue skies by now.
dressing up in a kimono
and then walking down the street to a local shrine in our kimonos. Clear blue skies by now.
Talk about being trussed up. Once we were all dressed up, we went out into the main hall and the Japanese tourists were taking photos of us. It was a fun experience BUT for some reason, my back was killing me. One of the other Judy's also had severe back pain from wearing the kimono' so it wasn't just me. We finally departed there at 3.45pm and came back to the hotel.
I had arranged to meet a couple of ladies for some shopping ( I did the window variety) then back to the hotel to pick up another lady at 6.30, so the 4 of us could have dinner. We all ordered the same noodle dish, which came in an enormous bowl. I managed to eat 7/8ths of it. That plus a beer cost ¥1,122. Noodles were ¥723 and the beer ¥389.
After dinner they were checking out some more shops and I went back to the main stairs in the train station to get some photos of the light display.
I only took photos of about 5 of the displays then came back to the hotel.
I only took photos of about 5 of the displays then came back to the hotel.
21 Oct 15 –Nara Escursion
Another perfect day, weather wise today.
Saki was late arriving this morning, so we didn't depart for Nara until 9.15. Once we were out of the main part of the city, we then passed through semi rural area,
then light industrial, i.e. logistic companies by the looks, then back to semi rural. In some places the rice hasn't been harvested and in others it's been harvested and stacked for drying.
One farm we passed had some of each.
then light industrial, i.e. logistic companies by the looks, then back to semi rural. In some places the rice hasn't been harvested and in others it's been harvested and stacked for drying.
One farm we passed had some of each.
We arrive in Nara at 10:10.
Tōdaiji, "Great Eastern Temple") is one of Japan's most famous and historically significant temples and a landmark of Nara. The temple was constructed in 752 as the head temple of all provincial Buddhist temples of Japan and grew so powerful that the capital was moved from Nara to Nagaoka in 784 in order to lower the temple's influence on government affairs.
Todaiji's main hall, the Daibutsuden (Big Buddha Hall) is the world's largest wooden building, despite the fact that the present reconstruction of 1692 is only two thirds of the original temple hall's size.
The massive building houses one of Japan's largest bronze statues of Buddah (Daibutsu).
The 15 meters tall, seated Buddha represents Vairocana and is flanked by two Bodhisattvas.
Several smaller Buddhist statues and models of the former and current buildings are also on display in the Daibutsuden Hall. There was a large crowd there already but thankfully, not as many as what was at the Golden Temple yesterday.
The massive building houses one of Japan's largest bronze statues of Buddah (Daibutsu).
The 15 meters tall, seated Buddha represents Vairocana and is flanked by two Bodhisattvas.
Several smaller Buddhist statues and models of the former and current buildings are also on display in the Daibutsuden Hall. There was a large crowd there already but thankfully, not as many as what was at the Golden Temple yesterday.
Another popular attraction is a pillar with a hole in its base that is the same size as the Daibutsu's nostril. It is said that those who can squeeze through this opening will be granted enlightenment in their next life. I saw a young student trying to get through but unfortunately for him, he was a bit on the large side, so had to be tugged back out.
Along the approach to Todaiji stands the Nandaimon Gate,
a large wooden gate watched over by two fierce looking statues. Representing the Nio Guardian Kings, the statues are designated national treasures together with the gate itself. Both are protected by a wire screen, so it was difficult to get a decent photo.
Temple visitors will also encounter some deer from the adjacent Nara Park, begging for shika senbei, special crackers for deer that are sold for ¥150.
A new addition to the temple is the Todaiji Museum, which was opened to the public in 2011 just next to the Nandaimon Gate. Rotating exhibitions from the temple's large collection of religious art and cultural treasures, including large Buddhist statues, are held at the museum. We didn't visit that.
a large wooden gate watched over by two fierce looking statues. Representing the Nio Guardian Kings, the statues are designated national treasures together with the gate itself. Both are protected by a wire screen, so it was difficult to get a decent photo.
Temple visitors will also encounter some deer from the adjacent Nara Park, begging for shika senbei, special crackers for deer that are sold for ¥150.
A new addition to the temple is the Todaiji Museum, which was opened to the public in 2011 just next to the Nandaimon Gate. Rotating exhibitions from the temple's large collection of religious art and cultural treasures, including large Buddhist statues, are held at the museum. We didn't visit that.
Todaiji's grounds are spacious and cover most of northern Nara Park, including a number of smaller buildings in the hills to the east of the main hall. These include Hokkedo (also known as Sangatsudo) and Nigatsudo. The Nigatsudo Hall offers nice views of the city from its balcony, according to the blurb that I read.
We then walked through part of Nara Park
to the main shopping street and found an arcade that had restaurants. We had just on an hour to eat and shop, if we wanted to. The first restaurant that Libby, Heather & I went to, didn't have any seats available, so rather than try others, we just went to McDonald's. We had been served and eaten our meal and still had over half an hour before we had to all meet up again.
to the main shopping street and found an arcade that had restaurants. We had just on an hour to eat and shop, if we wanted to. The first restaurant that Libby, Heather & I went to, didn't have any seats available, so rather than try others, we just went to McDonald's. We had been served and eaten our meal and still had over half an hour before we had to all meet up again.
We were all back on board by 1.20pm and heading for Kiyomizudera (Pure Water Temple).
Founded in 780 on the site of the Otowa Waterfall in the wooded hills east of Kyoto, it derives its name from the fall's pure waters.
The temple was originally associated with the Hosso sect, one of the oldest schools within Japanese Buddhism but formed its own Kita Hosso sect in 1965. In 1994, the temple was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Founded in 780 on the site of the Otowa Waterfall in the wooded hills east of Kyoto, it derives its name from the fall's pure waters.
The temple was originally associated with the Hosso sect, one of the oldest schools within Japanese Buddhism but formed its own Kita Hosso sect in 1965. In 1994, the temple was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.
I think this temple had even more people there than the Golden Temple yesterday. And so many school children.
We were back on the bus at 10 past 4 and it took until 4:45 to travel about a kilometre and buses were still arriving with school children on board for a visit to the temple.
It was lovely just chatting about all sorts of things.
